Burglary suspect warns Chico residents to lock doors, windows

CHICO -- A suspect accused of burglarizing several homes and stabbing one resident apologized during an interview with officers and offered his advice, according to Chico police.

"Please keep your windows locked and doors secured because there is way more horrible people out there," Sgt. Rob Merrifield quoted William Martin as saying Thursday.

Martin, 31, is being held in Butte County Jail in Oroville on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon, vehicle theft and two counts of burglary, according to a Chico Police Department press release.

Police allege that just after midnight Thursday, Martin and Dylon Wagoner, 18, went to a home on the 200 block of East First Avenue and burglarized it. Police said Martin climbed through an open window, took electronics and car keys, loaded the property into the car and left in it.

Merrifield said many burglars have become brazen. The men knew people were home and allegedly went in to steal anyway.

"It's not like he's unaware there's people there," he said.

Later, Martin allegedly entered an unlocked apartment about 3:30 a.m. Thursday on the 1100 block of Magnolia Avenue but was surprised by the 22-year-old resident who returned home, Merrifield said. The resident threw Martin to the ground and wrestled with him but let him go when he realized the suspect was stabbing him.

The resident received stitches for the stab wounds to his arm, Merrifield said.

The suspect got away.

"When he was confronted, he didn't have any hesitation using a weapon to get away," Merrifield said. "It's definitely a dangerous situation."

About 9:45 a.m. Thursday, officer Don Finkbiner noticed a Kia Sorento driving recklessly near 10th Avenue and The Esplanade and attempted to stop the driver, police reported. The driver evaded the officer but then hit a telephone pole and a parked vehicle. Three occupants fled on foot but were soon arrested.

Officers arrested Martin, Wagoner and Malia Lampkin, 22.

Police recovered property from the East First Avenue burglary in the car and on one of the suspects, as well as finding the car stolen from East First Avenue abandoned near The Esplanade and MacDonald Avenue, Merrifield said.

Officers also found clothing that matched the description of the Magnolia Avenue burglary and stabbing, police reported.

Wagoner was booked into the Butte County Jail in Oroville on suspicion of hit-and-run and burglary.

Lampkin was arrested on a probation violation.

Police will work to investigate whether the suspects were involved in any other Chico thefts, Merrifield said.